Frank Meeink describes the swastika he used to have tattooed onto his neck during his presentation Tuesday. He said he removed or covered up all his tattoos that had skinhead and racist ties. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Frank Meeink describes the swastika he used to have tattooed onto his neck during his presentation Tuesday. He said he removed or covered up all his tattoos that had skinhead and racist ties. Meeink, a former ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Members of the audience laugh as Frank Meeink shares a humorous insight about his former life as a skinhead. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Members of the audience laugh as Frank Meeink shares a humorous insight about his former life as a skinhead. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Copies of Frank Meeink's book sit on a table as people form a line for the author's autograph Tuesday. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Copies of Frank Meeink's book sit on a table as people form a line for the author's autograph Tuesday. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Frank Meeink talks about some of the violent aspects of his past Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Frank Meeink talks about some of the violent aspects of his past Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Frank Meeink speaks before a large crowd Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Frank Meeink speaks before a large crowd Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Frank Meeink shakes hands with Sergeant Rob Flores, Jr., before he signs a copy of his book for the officer Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Frank Meeink shakes hands with Sergeant Rob Flores, Jr., before he signs a copy of his book for the officer Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Martin Cominsky with the Anti-Defamation League speaks after the conclusion of Frank Meeink's presentation Tuesday. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Martin Cominsky with the Anti-Defamation League speaks after the conclusion of Frank Meeink's presentation Tuesday. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Superintendent Dr. Timothy Chargois listens as Frank Meeink speaks Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Superintendent Dr. Timothy Chargois listens as Frank Meeink speaks Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Kent Walston and others listen as Frank Meeink talks about his past and reformation Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Kent Walston and others listen as Frank Meeink talks about his past and reformation Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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Frank Meeink describes one of his tattoos on Tuesday afternoon. He said he removed or covered up all his tattoos that had skinhead and racist ties. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Frank Meeink describes one of his tattoos on Tuesday afternoon. He said he removed or covered up all his tattoos that had skinhead and racist ties. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 13 of 22

Frank Meeink talks with Sergeant Rob Flores, Jr., as he signs a copy of his book for the officer Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared his story with law enforcement, city officials, educators and the media at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church on Tuesday afternoon. The event was presented by the Anti-Defamation League of Houston.
Photo taken Tuesday, 2/25/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Frank Meeink talks with Sergeant Rob Flores, Jr., as he signs a copy of his book for the officer Tuesday afternoon. Meeink, a former skinhead and the author of "Autobiography of a Recovering Skinhead," shared ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

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A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The Reich" by the age of 17. Since then, Meeink has removed his tattooes.
Photo provided by Frank Meeink. less

A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The ... more

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A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The Reich" by the age of 17. Since then, Meeink has removed his tattooes.
Photo provided by Frank Meeink. less

A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The ... more

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A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The Reich" by the age of 17. Since then, Meeink has removed his tattooes.
Photo provided by Frank Meeink. less

A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The ... more

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A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The Reich" by the age of 17. Since then, Meeink has removed his tattooes.
Photo provided by Frank Meeink. less

A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The ... more

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A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The Reich" by the age of 17. Since then, Meeink has removed his tattooes.
Photo provided by Frank Meeink. less

A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The ... more

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A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The Reich" by the age of 17. Since then, Meeink has removed his tattooes.
Photo provided by Frank Meeink. less

A former skinhead, Frank Meeink shows his tattoos from his younger days. Raised in South Philadelphia, Meeink was recruited into a skinhead gang at the age of 14 and hosted a cable access show called "The ... more

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Former skinhead tells why he joined and left the neo-Nazi movement

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A teenager raised in and out of broken homes and on the streets of south Philadelphia where ethnic gangs abounded, quickly climbed the ladder of power after joining the neo-Nazi movement and came to be one of the best-known skinheads in the country before he began to fight against it.

Frank Meeink, 38, whose life partly inspired the film, "American History X," starring Edward Norton, spoke Tuesday at the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont of his teenage years as a white supremacist skinhead and recruiter on the East Coast and his journey to redemption that started in jail at 17 in Springfield, Ill., for kidnap and torture.

Threats are commonplace for Meeink who now speaks for the Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism and hate. Meeink now works to educate those who could fall prey to gangs, particularly school children. MLibardi@BeaumontEnterprise.com